Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

BROWSE ISSUES allows you to browse through every available issue.

Registration to Air Force News is free.Once registered you will be notified by email when new issue is published.

AIRF RCE July 13, 2017 News 7 Chief of Joint Capabilities AVM Warren McDonald (centre, front) with other Joint Capabilities Group senior leaders, from left: MAJGEN Marcus Thompson, AVM Tracy Smart, MAJGEN Simone Wilkie and MAJGEN David Mulhall. Photo: Jay Cronan All for the warfighter Sharon Palmer FOR the ADF to realise its full potential and guard against future threats, the inaugural Chief of Joint Capabilities, AVM Warren McDonald, believes we all need to be singing from the same song sheet, and, in harmony. “My number one priority is to homogenise the group,” AVM McDonald said. “It has been made up of a collection of commands and I need to get them all focused in one direction. Our measure of success is that we all speak with one voice on an issue.” July 1 marked the beginning of a new era for the ADF with the raising of the ADFHQ and, as part of that, the establishment of the Joint Capabilities Group (JCG). With the motto of “for the warfighter”, Joint Health Command, Joint Logistics Command and the Australian Defence College will all come under the new group, with the inclusion of a new Information Warfare Division (IWD). AVM McDonald said while July 1 was simply another day for many within the group, it signalled a shift to an organisation that will use its collective capabilities to ensure the warfighter is equipped, healthy, educated and has situational awareness to have an advantage in a conflict. “It also means that the airman, sailor and soldier will have another voice at the table to push for outcomes to resolve the issues they face,” AVM McDonald said. “The environment that our air- men, sailors and soldiers face is increasingly more complex and is a direct reflection of the technologies we have embraced and the threats we are faced with. Survival is all about adaptation and is more assured when done as a group. “Our enlisted personnel are well educated and technologically savvy; they will need to draw on these strengths to adapt to what is ahead, and our Defence Force works best when used jointly. “To assist, JCG will work with the services and groups to ensure that any supporting capability we provide adds value and that any project and offensive capability we are responsible for contributes to the fight.” To meet these ever-changing demands, AVM McDonald said he had set three priorities in the first year:  stand up the IWD and reach an interim capability by December;  ensure project delivery; and  work with the Chief Information Officer Group to get the priority back into the secret network to support the fight. “IWD’s key task is to increase our cyber awareness and cyber defensive capabilities within the year,” AVM McDonald said. “With projects, I will take responsibility from VCDF Group for numerous joint projects and I want to make sure their good work continues. I will ensure that I do not have any gaps in the floorboards as we bring these projects across. “Finally, on the secret network, we need this to be match fit so we can better support the fight.” He said the main challenge in achieving success was the steep learning curve he was on. “That’s my biggest challenge, trying to understand the business – understand what we do and potentially how we can do it better in the future,” he said. “I have not been exposed to the joint environment as much as I have now and have not been deeply involved in health, logistics, education or information warfare. My challenge is to quickly understand the language and culture that goes with it. “It’s an intriguing space and I do relish it, but if you were to ask me if I was a little nervous, I would say ‘yes’, because it’s a big responsibility and if I wasn’t nervous, I would be arrogant. “I have to say I have been incredibly impressed by the standard of people in the group. “There are exceptional people everywhere I visit, so I’m confident that while there are a lot of challenges ahead, we have the right people who will make it happen.” BIG CHANGES STILL AFOOT JOINING the Air Force at 15 as an apprentice motor transport fitter means AVM Warren McDonald has a handson appreciation of the role of junior members of the ADF. When he signed up 38 years ago, he said he never thought he would be an officer, let alone an air vice-marshal tasked with standing up a new group. “I have been very fortunate and that’s why I have stayed in. The Air Force has been exceptional to me so I owe it,” he said. His advice to those on the ground is to be ready as change is occurring rapidly. “Air Force has already progressed a long way through its recapitalisation. There’s some big changes still afoot and the airmen will need to be a part of it and be aware of how these changes affect them.” Look forward